DAIRY PRODUCE.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15863, 7 July 1919, Page 3

DAIRY PRODUCE.

THE BUTTER BUSINESS. ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCAL SUPPLIES. PREMIUM ARRANGED ON EEGtJ RATION PRICE. There is a fairly active demand for butter on account of South Island factory concerns which have a local trade to keep going, and, according to the Post, supplies have been arranged with some North Island (Taranaki) factories at a premium of |d to |d per pound on the regulation Is 5d at factory door. Some North ‘lsland factories, too, are said to have bought at a similar premium in the Auckland district and elsewhere in order to keep their own district trade supplied; but, of course, they have had to pay for the goods. In order that this may be done, also to keep within the law, certain co-opera-tive dairy companies have become merchants as well as manufacturers, going into open market and selling butter, it is said, as high as Is 6Jd, direct to retailers to be sold over thecounter alt Is Bd. There are, however, several cooperative concerns whose business has always been to supply the local market direct as wholesalers—patting and packing the goods for the retail trade —as well as doing a large export business. These would obtain the full wholesaler’s profit, which, usually, was Id per pound, for which he had to pay railage .cartage, insurance, and other charges, also pat, pack, deliver, and make provision for bad debts and other contingencies; in short, do a considerable amount as distributor for one penny per pound. Butter supplies are understood to be very short indeed for the present and near future requirements for the Wellington trade. Christchurch has paid up to» Is 6)d for wholesale supplies. Exceptionally heavy shipments of “Imperial” butter have been made, and it is calculated that there is no superabundance in store with which to satisfy local needs during the currency of the winter months; but there is sufficient, if evenly distributed. Advice has been received here by mail of great activity on the part of the British Government to -increase the Home make of cheese, and there is reported to be a growth of cooperative dairying on lines with which the New Zealand farmer is well acquainted, in order to increase the supply of cheese made in the United Kingdom. Melbourne is reported as offering skim milk powder at .£72 per ton f.o.b. 1 ; and from London a cablegram has been received by a local house stating that Dutch milk powder is offering at .£6O per ton, c.i.f., London, and =£9o for new season’s make.